Málaga once again became the European epicentre of flexible accommodation on 13 and 14 May with the celebration of Vitur Summit 2026, which has concluded its tenth edition, confirming the definitive entry of the sector into a phase of maturity, professionalisation and attraction of institutional capital.
For two days, over 600 executives, investors, operators, international chains, technology companies and institutional representatives gathered at NH Málaga to analyse the evolution of an industry now situated at the intersection of tourism, real estate investment and new living models.
A sector in its maturity phase: liquidity, scale and institutional capital
One of the main conclusions of the meeting is clear: flexible accommodation has moved beyond its emerging phase to become established as a real estate category with solid liquidity, growing investor appetite, and structural demand.
Investors, operators and financial entities agreed that segments such as PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation), serviced apartments and flex living are in full expansion, driven by the development of specialist operators, the professionalisation of the sector and the entry of long-term institutional capital.
In this new scenario, operational track record, scale, and income stability are consolidated as determining factors for attracting investment.
Legal certainty and regulation: a key condition for growth
The second major consensus of Vitur Summit 2026 has been the importance of legal certainty and regulatory stability as essential pillars for the development of the sector.
The participants underscored the need to move towards a clear, predictable, and coordinated regulatory framework among administrations, avoiding over-regulation and regulatory uncertainty that can hinder investment and the development of new projects.
Furthermore, the regulatory debate has been placed within an increasingly active European context, which reinforces the need for harmonisation and a long-term strategic vision.
The operating model as a competitive advantage
Another of the key messages from the Summit is that the future of the sector will depend less on volume growth and more on the operational capacity of market players.
Experts agreed that the differentiating value will lie in the design of products adapted to each type of demand, efficient stock management and the building of strong brands with a consistent operational experience.
Operational efficiency, automation, and the ability to scale hybrid models are consolidating as key competitive factors.
Branded residences and hybridization: the consolidation of the hybrid model
Branded residences and hybrid models blending hospitality and residential offerings continue to gain prominence as one of the major international trends in the sector.
Brand, user experience, and quality of service are positioned as fundamental elements for sustaining long-term asset value and attracting institutional investment.
This phenomenon confirms the convergence between residential, tourist, and investment models, giving rise to an increasingly integrated ecosystem.
Technology and artificial intelligence: from efficiency to ROI
Artificial intelligence and technology applied to asset management, revenue management, and guest experience are consolidating as strategic tools for the industry.
Experts highlighted the shift of AI from “hype” to real return on investment (ROI), with a direct impact on operational efficiency, revenue optimisation, and data-driven decision-making.
A market undergoing structural transformation.
The Vitur Summit 2026 has highlighted that the sector is moving towards greater segmentation and specialisation in demand, with increasingly diverse profiles: from digital nomads and relocated professionals to international students, senior living, or corporate stays.
In parallel, the stock of flex living in Spain continues its accelerated expansion, while investment is concentrated especially in urban destinations, with a growing weight of hybrid models.
Andalusia and Malaga: Europe's epicentre for flexible accommodation
The choice of Malaga as the summit's host city reinforces the positioning of Andalusia and the Costa del Sol as one of Europe's leading flexible accommodation hubs.
The region is consolidating itself as a key territory for the development of new types of stays, with a strong concentration of branded residence projects, international investment, and growth in supply.
During the meeting, both institutional representatives and sector experts highlighted the region's strategic role in the convergence between tourism, real estate investment, and innovation.
Conclusion: a sector entering its decisive phase
Vitur Summit 2026 confirms that flexible accommodation is entering a new stage: more mature, more institutional and more demanding.
Growth is no longer the sole objective. The ability to build scalable, sustainable, and efficient operational platforms that can attract institutional capital and adapt to increasingly sophisticated demand is now paramount.
Málaga thus concludes an edition that reinforces its role as the European capital of flexible accommodation and an unmissable meeting point for the future of the sector.
